>>> > I'm a little confused, but from what I've read, if I use MySQL's > connectors/libraries, I appear to need to either GPL my application or > purchase a commercial license.
> You can separate soci base and soci mysql backend by loading the latter one dynamically, so you don't have it at a compile time. It is quite painful to provide your customers with instructions on how to download libmysqlclient and soci mysql backend, but it kind of gets you through all GPL/LGPL business < I don't think that's true unfortunately. It is true for LGPL'ed components but GPL'ed components 'virally' force the app with which they are linked to take on the GPL license. http://www.h-online.com/open/features/Connectors-controversy-and-the-LGPL-1792282.html <<<< Apologies, but I paste the wrong link to connector licensing discussions last time http://www.xaprb.com/blog/2009/02/17/when-are-you-required-to-have-a-commercial-mysql-license/ particularly the discussion in the comments which talks about connectors rather the DB itself. My interpretation (IANAL and often wrong :) Separate use of a MySQL community edition server which is GPL isn't a problem unless it is bundled as part of your app. Connecting to a MySQL server isn't of itself making your app GPL. However, using a GPL connector in a manner that bundles part of that GPL connector into your app would virally make your app GPL whether it is dynamically linked or statically linked. The MySQL C connector and libmysqlclient require 'bundling' with SOCI and therefore my take is that would make my app GPL Using an LGPL alternative such as MariaDB's C connector with dynamic linking would not make my app GPL What I am hoping, and seeking clarification for is... The ODBC connector from MySQL is also GPL, but how SOCI interfaces with this (or any other ODBC connector) is generic and I think it does not use any MySQL code to achieve this(??). SOCI/ODBC can substitute connection to any other ODBC client/database - substitutable via a generic interface. So long as I do not bundle the connector with my app, my customer is free to download the ODBC connector and MySQL and use this as a basis for storage when connected to my app. Paul ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meet PCI DSS 3.0 Compliance Requirements with EventLog Analyzer Achieve PCI DSS 3.0 Compliant Status with Out-of-the-box PCI DSS Reports Are you Audit-Ready for PCI DSS 3.0 Compliance? Download White paper Comply to PCI DSS 3.0 Requirement 10 and 11.5 with EventLog Analyzer http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/clk?id=154622311&iu=/4140/ostg.clktrk _______________________________________________ soci-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/soci-users
